Hey hey, I'm Breauna.

I’ve seen volunteerism done good, and I’ve seen it perpetuate and cause harm. I wanted to do something about it.

There are millions of people who dedicate themselves to serving and giving back, but good intentions don’t always equal good impact. Too often, volunteerism has widened the very gaps it’s meant to close. I am convinced that for real change to happen, we must check our mindsets, intentions, and language, and see those we partner with as humans first—with assets, brilliance, and dignity.

That conviction led me to create Connecting the Cause, a space designed to challenge traditional norms around service. Through CTC, I:

• Teach nonprofits, civic groups, and organizations how to center community in their service.

• Advocate for voices of color to be recognized and valued in volunteerism.

• Help individuals serve responsibly, with justice and love.

As a Black woman with over a decade of experience in nonprofits, I’ve seen how paternalism and unhealthy volunteer dynamics harm communities. Over the years, I saw people who looked like me made to feel powerless and less-than by organizational volunteers, creating a continuous chain of unhealthy, co-dependent relationships between nonprofits and those they serve. Once I realized this trend, I started to challenge the norm by making small, intentional changes at the organizations I held positions in, changes that promoted the dignity and respect of community members. I assessed the effectiveness of volunteer opportunities in terms of self-sufficiency versus co-dependency, and finally moved towards the abolition of unhealthy volunteer program practices.

The impact it made was clear to see , not only on our clients but also on our volunteers. Volunteers felt a deeper sense of connection to the cause. They felt informed. And I felt, for the first time, that we were making a true partnership between our volunteers and the community.By making small, dignity-centered changes early in my career, I saw both volunteers and community members thrive in new ways. That work sparked my journey and became the foundation for what I do today.

The community felt autonomy over their life, were served the way they wanted to be served, and were able to meet their own desired goals. I was called to make an impact on more volunteer programs by using the strategies and tactics I developed throughout my time in the sector.

In my free time you can find me writing to-do lists, bookmarking articles on LinkedIN, taking mini adventures with my hubby, loving on my babies and going to thrift stores trying to find the latest deals.

Hi, I’m Chris.

I’m a community builder, convener, and fundraiser committed to advancing people-centered growth.

Chris Dorelus is a community builder, convener, and fundraiser committed to advancing people-centered growth. With over a decade of experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, he has led initiatives that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and foster long-term economic development.

Most recently, Chris served as Business Retention and Expansion Project Manager at Invest Atlanta, where he helped create and retain thousands of jobs, leveraged millions in capital investments, and launched the city’s first Legacy Business Program, preserving and uplifting businesses with deep cultural roots.

His work has always centered community voices, whether fundraising for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, mobilizing volunteers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, or mentoring young leaders through the Path Church and school partnerships.

In 2020, Chris founded Sow & Gather, a nonprofit dedicated to curating experiences and resources for Black- and Brown-led organizations across Atlanta. Through its programs and partnerships, Sow & Gather creates spaces where leaders can exchange knowledge, access resources, and strengthen their capacity to serve. The work of Sow & Gather, now merged with Connecting the Cause, reflects a holistic belief that philanthropy, economic sustainability and community engagement must move hand-in-hand, with growth that is inclusive and rooted in connection.

Chris blends his expertise in strategic partnerships, project management, and curating experiences with his passion for equity and impact. His vision is simple: equip businesses, organizations, and communities with the tools and relationships they need to thrive.

Together, we are committed to building spaces where communities thrive, voices are honored, and service leads to lasting change.

Anything else you want to know about us? Just ask.